Blues Pills: “We're still heavy, it’s just a different kind of heaviness"

As Blues Pills prepare to hit the road ahead of their new album, frontwoman Elin Larsson talks soul, jamming and missed deadlines

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How did you enjoy playing at this summer’s Steelhouse Festival?

It was fantastic to play at the top of a Welsh mountain. We seem to be spending a lot of time in the UK. One year we played London five times.

Your self-titled 2014 debut album was extremely well received. Did you feel under pressure making the follow-up, Lady In Gold?

I’m not going to lie, there was a lot – mostly from myself. We missed several deadlines, but I really wanted to improve my lyrics. I spent a lot of time staring at a blank piece of paper, but it was worth the roller-coaster because I think they are better.

The album is far more soulful. Won’t Go Back, Rejection and the YouTube track I Felt A Change all have hints of Aretha Franklin.

That was definitely a goal. And yeah, of course, I’m a massive fan of Aretha’s. I really hoped to bring that out in the music, as well as the rock elements. It was a natural step.

Some reviewers suggested that the transition sacrificed a little of the band’s intensity?

[Laughs] Somebody called us soul-pop. I don’t hear that. There were more of the slower songs on the first album. The new album is still heavy, it’s just a different kind of heaviness.

The new tunes are shorter and sharper, so will there be a little less stretching out on stage?

Not at all, we’re going to extend them and leave room for some improvisation. That’s a very big part of what the band does.

This tour runs until December, and then we take some time off to hang with our families and finish building our own studio outside of Örebro. Being able to record whenever you like brings such freedom.